Religious broadcasting
Encyclopedia
Religious broadcasting refers to broadcasting
by religious
organizations, usually with a religious message. Many religious organizations have long recorded content such as sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their Internet
websites.
While this article emphasises dedicated religious broadcasters, many non-dedicated stations transmit religious programs; a state with no religious station may broadcast much religious programming.
Religious broadcasting can be funded commercially
or through some sort of public broadcasting
-style arrangement (religious broadcasters are often recognized as non-profit organizations). Donations from listeners and viewers, often tax-deductible, are solicited by some broadcasters.
In some countries, particularly those with an established state religion
, broadcasting related to one particular religion only is allowed, or in some cases required. For example a function of the state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation is by law "to broadcast such programmes as may promote Islamic ideology, national unity and principles of democracy, freedom equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam..." (s. 10(1)(b)).
There are two main stations, Premier Radio
is available on MW in the London area and United Christian Broadcasters
is available via DAB
in both the London and Stoke on Trent areas.
There are several UK-based radio stations which serve a genre group or locality, such as Cross Rhythms
based in Stoke-on-Trent, a contemporary music station with a local FM community radio
licence. Branch FM operates across West Yorkshire and is a volunteer-run community Christian radio
station. Like most other local Christian stations, they also use the Internet to gain national coverage.
There are other UK-based radio channels which apply for regular temporary licenses, such as Flame FM on the Wirral, Cheshire which applies for two months of local FM broadcasting per year via a Restricted Service Licence (RSL), and Refresh FM
, which regularly broadcasts in Manchester
for 3 or 4 weeks over the Easter
period.
Also there are religious broadcasters that transmit to the UK from outside on medium wave at night (when MW signals travel much further) by buying airtime on commercial stations such as Manx Radio
(from the Isle of Man) and Trans World Radio
(from Monte Carlo).
Although there are tight restrictions on religious groups setting up their own radio and TV stations, there is a legal requirement for the BBC
and ITV
to broadcast a certain amount of religious programming. Some commercial local radio stations carry a limited amount of religious programming, particularly in Northern Ireland
and parts of Scotland
's Emmanuel TV
.
Ezekiel TV is a Christian television network started by Ezekiel Guti of ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries International (FIFMI) in 2008, based in South Africa. Most of the programming is from Zimbabwe, where ZAOGA FIFMI is headquartered. The channel broadcasts on the internet on the FIFMI Website, www.fifmi.org
, founded in 1995, is the first and largest Christian satellite broadcast organization operating in the region. It is supported by Christian churches from a variety of denominations in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as supporters from Europe, North America http://www.sat7usa.org, and Asia.
and Highway, as part of their public service remit. The 2009 Ofcom
report found that religious broadcasting on public service channels was watched on average for 2.7 hours per year in 2008, decreasing steadily from 3.2 in 2006 and 3.6 in 2001. In 2006, 5% of viewers found religious broadcasting to be of personal importance.
In 2010 the commercial television broadcasters reduced their religious output due to poor viewing figures; at the start of the year ITV1
planned to show one hour and Channel Five
had no plans. The BBC
is obliged by its licence to broadcast 110 hours per year.
Dedicated religious channels available include:
See also List of Islamic television and radio stations in the United Kingdom
, Christian
organizations are by far the most widespread compared with other religions, with upwards of 1,600 television
and radio
stations across the country (not necessarily counting broadcast translators, though because many outlets have low power and repeat national telecasts, the difference is often hard to define).
Christian television outlets in the U.S. usually broadcast in the UHF band. While there are many religious content providers for religious and faith-based television, there are few nationally recognized non-commercial
television networks such as Daystar Television Network
(operated by Marcus Lamb
and Joni Lamb
) and Trinity Broadcasting Network
(TBN) (operated by Paul Crouch
and Jan Crouch). Unlike the larger religious network providers available to the mass public, many smaller religious organizations have a presence on cable television
systems, either with their own channels (such as the 3ABN
service) or by transmissions on public-access television
(common for local congregations) or leased access
channels. Sunday mornings often see religious broadcasts on regular commercial broadcasting
and BBC
outlets.
Religious broadcasters in the U.S. include:
(NRB) organization.
allowed ownership of broadcasting licences by religious organisations and their officers and those who controlled them in some circumstances; this had previously not been allowed.
Religious channels aimed at a UK audience could get around this previous restriction by basing themselves offshore, often in a European country that permits asking viewers for money on air. Stations may appear to be based in the UK, but actually broadcast from another country. However Ofcom
since lifted the restriction, and channels with UK licences can now ask for funds on air.
The other primary method for raising funds to run religious channels is to sell airtime. Traveling preachers and large churches and ministries often set up a TV department filming what they do; they then buy slots on TV channels to show their programmes. Often the same programme from an organization is shown on several channels at different times as they buy slots. The vast majority of organizations which do this are US-based. In the UK this tends to make Christian TV channels appear to be US-based, as most material originates there. Some UK TV channels have invested in making programmes to complement the sold air time slots – most notably GOD TV and Revelation TV.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
by religious
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
organizations, usually with a religious message. Many religious organizations have long recorded content such as sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
websites.
While this article emphasises dedicated religious broadcasters, many non-dedicated stations transmit religious programs; a state with no religious station may broadcast much religious programming.
Religious broadcasting can be funded commercially
Commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting is the broadcasting of television programs and radio programming by privately owned corporate media, as opposed to state sponsorship...
or through some sort of public broadcasting
Public broadcasting
Public broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
-style arrangement (religious broadcasters are often recognized as non-profit organizations). Donations from listeners and viewers, often tax-deductible, are solicited by some broadcasters.
In some countries, particularly those with an established state religion
State religion
A state religion is a religious body or creed officially endorsed by the state...
, broadcasting related to one particular religion only is allowed, or in some cases required. For example a function of the state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation is by law "to broadcast such programmes as may promote Islamic ideology, national unity and principles of democracy, freedom equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam..." (s. 10(1)(b)).
Radio
(The distinction between radio and television broadcasters is not rigid; broadcasters in both areas may appear in the Radio or Television section in this article.)Netherlands
- Buddhist Broadcasting Foundation
- Humanistische OmroepHumanistische OmroepHumanistische Omroep is a special broadcaster on the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system, which is allowed to broadcast on radio and television because of their spiritual background...
: A small broadcaster dedicated to secular Humanism. - IKON (Interkerkelijke Omroep Nederland): A small broadcaster representing a diverse set of nine mainstream Christian churches.
- Joodse OmroepJoodse OmroepJoodse Omroep is a special broadcaster on the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system, which is allowed to broadcast on radio and television because of their religious background...
The new name of NIKmedia (Nederlands-Israëlitisch Kerkgenootschap): Dutch-Jewish broadcaster. - NIO (Nederlandse Islamitische Omroep): Small Islamic broadcaster.
- NMO (Nederlandse Moslim Omroep): Small Islamic broadcaster, slightly more progressive than the NIO.
- OHMOrganisatie Hindoe MediaThe Foundation Hindu Media, Dutch: Organisatie Hindoe Media , is a special broadcaster on the Netherlands Public Broadcasting system, which is allowed to broadcast on radio and television because of their religious background...
(Organisatie Hindoe Media): Small Hindu broadcaster. - RKK (Rooms-Katholiek Kerkgenootschap): Small Roman Catholic broadcaster, actual programming produced by the KRO. Roman Catholic events and services on television are broadcast by the RKK.
- ZvK (Zendtijd voor Kerken): Small broadcaster that broadcasts church services from some smaller Protestant churches.
United Kingdom
In the UK there were fewer than ten radio stations defining themselves as Christian. British broadcasting laws prohibit religious organisations, political parties, local government and trade unions from running national analogue terrestrial stations. Some religious radio stations are available in certain areas on the MW (medium wave) or VHF (FM) wavebands; others transmit using other methods, some of them nationally (such as via digital terrestrial TV broadcasting, satellite and cable).There are two main stations, Premier Radio
Premier Radio
Premier Radio may refer to:* Premier Christian Radio, a radio network in the United Kingdom which broadcasts Christian programming* Premiere Radio Networks, a radio network in the United States which syndicates talk and other programming to radio stations...
is available on MW in the London area and United Christian Broadcasters
United Christian Broadcasters
United Christian Broadcasters is an international Christian broadcasting and media group. Through affiliates in twenty five countries, it operates radio and television stations and publishes and broadcasts Bob Gass's free daily devotionals The Word for You Today and word4u2day...
is available via DAB
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
in both the London and Stoke on Trent areas.
There are several UK-based radio stations which serve a genre group or locality, such as Cross Rhythms
Cross Rhythms
Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:The roots of what was to become Cross Rhythms go back to two separate sources which merged in 1991. In 1983, broadcaster Chris Cole started a 30-minute weekly Christian music radio show on Plymouth Sound FM, a...
based in Stoke-on-Trent, a contemporary music station with a local FM community radio
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
licence. Branch FM operates across West Yorkshire and is a volunteer-run community Christian radio
Christian radio
Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering...
station. Like most other local Christian stations, they also use the Internet to gain national coverage.
There are other UK-based radio channels which apply for regular temporary licenses, such as Flame FM on the Wirral, Cheshire which applies for two months of local FM broadcasting per year via a Restricted Service Licence (RSL), and Refresh FM
Refresh FM
Refresh FM is a Christian radio station which broadcasts in South and Central Manchester under a Restricted Service License. The station is managed by Victoria Park Christian Fellowship, an evangelical church in Manchester....
, which regularly broadcasts in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
for 3 or 4 weeks over the Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
period.
Also there are religious broadcasters that transmit to the UK from outside on medium wave at night (when MW signals travel much further) by buying airtime on commercial stations such as Manx Radio
Manx Radio
Manx Radio is the national commercial radio station for the Isle of Man.The station began broadcasting on 29 June 1964, almost ten years before commercial radio was licensed in the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man, having its own government and laws, was not subject to the rules prohibiting...
(from the Isle of Man) and Trans World Radio
Trans World Radio
Trans World Radio is a multinational Christian evangelistic broadcaster. TWR broadcasts from 14 countries using mediumwave or high-powered AM transmitters, shortwave as well as through local radio stations, cable, satellite, and the Internet to reach millions of people in 160 nations in their own...
(from Monte Carlo).
Although there are tight restrictions on religious groups setting up their own radio and TV stations, there is a legal requirement for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
to broadcast a certain amount of religious programming. Some commercial local radio stations carry a limited amount of religious programming, particularly in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and parts of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Television
(The distinction between radio and television broadcasters is not rigid; broadcasters in both areas may appear in the Radio or Television section in this article.)Africa
T.B. JoshuaT.B. Joshua
Temitope Balogun Joshua , commonly referred to as T. B. Joshua, is a Christian, minister, televangelist and faith healer...
's Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV
Emmanuel TV is one of Africa's largest Christian television networks with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, founded by T.B. Joshua, Pastor of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations .-History:...
.
Ezekiel TV is a Christian television network started by Ezekiel Guti of ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries International (FIFMI) in 2008, based in South Africa. Most of the programming is from Zimbabwe, where ZAOGA FIFMI is headquartered. The channel broadcasts on the internet on the FIFMI Website, www.fifmi.org
Middle East
In the Middle East, Christian satellite broadcaster SAT-7 operates five channels, SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PARS (Farsi), SAT-7 KIDS (Arabic), SAT-7 PLUS (Arabic) and SAT-7 TÜRK (Turkish), which broadcast in the prominent languages of the region with more than 80% of programs made by and for people of the region. SAT-7's satellite footprints reach 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as 50 countries in Europe, with "free to air" programming. SAT7SAT-7
SAT-7 is a Christian satellite television network Religious broadcasting broadcasting in Arabic, Persian , and Turkish across 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, along with 50 countries in Europe. was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1995 with support from a majority of Middle...
, founded in 1995, is the first and largest Christian satellite broadcast organization operating in the region. It is supported by Christian churches from a variety of denominations in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as supporters from Europe, North America http://www.sat7usa.org, and Asia.
Pakistan
A function of the state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation is by law "to broadcast such programmes as may promote Islamic ideology, national unity and principles of democracy, freedom equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam..." (s. 10(1)(b)).Turkey
Islamic broadcasters include:- TGRT, Turkey’s first nationwide "Islamic" television channel, est. 1993
- STV, affiliated with the Gülen movementGülen movementThe Gülen movement is a transnational civic society movement inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic theologian Fethullah Gülen. His teachings about hizmet have attracted a large number of supporters in Turkey, Central Asia and increasingly in other parts of the world...
, est. 1994 - Kanal 7
- Mesaj TV
United Kingdom
In the UK, religious television operates differently from the US. No religious station broadcasts on the five analog terrestrial channels (which are to be phased out by 2012). Most religious stations transmit via direct-to-home satellite, some are streamed live via the Internet. The BBC and ITV broadcast religious programmes, such as Songs of PraiseSongs of Praise
Songs of Praise is a BBC Television programme based around traditional Christian hymns. It is a widely watched and long-running religious television programme, one of the few peak-time free-to-air religious programmes in Europe Songs of Praise is a BBC Television programme based around traditional...
and Highway, as part of their public service remit. The 2009 Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
report found that religious broadcasting on public service channels was watched on average for 2.7 hours per year in 2008, decreasing steadily from 3.2 in 2006 and 3.6 in 2001. In 2006, 5% of viewers found religious broadcasting to be of personal importance.
In 2010 the commercial television broadcasters reduced their religious output due to poor viewing figures; at the start of the year ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
planned to show one hour and Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
had no plans. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
is obliged by its licence to broadcast 110 hours per year.
Dedicated religious channels available include:
- DaystarDaystar Television NetworkThe Daystar Television Network is an American evangelical Christian television religious broadcasting network headquartered near Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Bedford, Texas...
, US network. Creation videos with music. Teaching and preaching. On Freeview from 28 February 2011 - GOD TVGOD TVGOD TV is an international Christian television broadcaster that transmits the GOD Channel from Jerusalem.The network’s Free-to-air signal is carried via multiple satellites 24-hours-a-day providing programming at no charge to viewers. This ranges from Bible teaching to motivational seminars,...
, based in Sunderland (UK), is the longest established of the currently running TV channels on Sky in the UK, and the only one that is also on the major cable TV systems in the UK. - God's Learning ChannelGod's Learning ChannelGod's Learning Channel is a Judeo-Christian television network which is based in the Southwestern United States. Based on the Messianic Judaism movement, it describes itself as "teaching the Torah and the true roots of Christianity", and its programming features a mixture of Christian and Jewish...
(GLC) broadcasts the same lineup simultaneously to the US and Europe via the Eutelsat W-2 Satellite for Direct-to-Home broadcast. - Inspiration, US Network. Programming from around the world. Preaching. Missionary bias.
- Islam ChannelIslam ChannelIslam Channel is a UK-based, free-to-air, English language, Islamic-focused satellite television channel funded by advertising and donations. It was reported in 2008 that UK government research found that 97.3% of Muslims watched the channel...
. Broadcasts across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and streamed on the Internet, and will broadcast in North America. Ruled to have breached the UK broadcasting code by airing discussions containing contentious views on violence against women and marital rape in 2008-9. - Revelation TVRevelation TVRevelation TV is a UK Christian television channel started by Howard and Lesley Conder in 2003; the channel broadcasts on Freesat channel 692 and Sky channel 581.-Programming:...
, in London, produce a lot of live programmes from their studios.
See also List of Islamic television and radio stations in the United Kingdom
United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
organizations are by far the most widespread compared with other religions, with upwards of 1,600 television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
stations across the country (not necessarily counting broadcast translators, though because many outlets have low power and repeat national telecasts, the difference is often hard to define).
Christian television outlets in the U.S. usually broadcast in the UHF band. While there are many religious content providers for religious and faith-based television, there are few nationally recognized non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
television networks such as Daystar Television Network
Daystar Television Network
The Daystar Television Network is an American evangelical Christian television religious broadcasting network headquartered near Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Bedford, Texas...
(operated by Marcus Lamb
Marcus Lamb
Marcus Lamb is an American televangelist, minister and Christian broadcaster. He is most well known as the co-founder, president, and CEO of the Daystar Television Network, the second-largest Christian television network in the world. The network has 90 TV stations and satellite and cable coverage...
and Joni Lamb
Joni Lamb
Joni Lamb is a Christian broadcaster and the co-founder, vice-president, and executive producer of the Daystar Television Network. Joni and her husband Marcus Lamb have been involved with Christian television since the mid 1980’s and are most well known for their work with Daystar Television. Joni...
) and Trinity Broadcasting Network
Trinity Broadcasting Network
The Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
(TBN) (operated by Paul Crouch
Paul Crouch
Paul Franklin Crouch is a religious broadcaster and, along with his wife Jan, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network .-Biography:...
and Jan Crouch). Unlike the larger religious network providers available to the mass public, many smaller religious organizations have a presence on cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
systems, either with their own channels (such as the 3ABN
3ABN
Three Angels Broadcasting Network, or 3ABN for short, is a nonprofit, 24-hour television and radio network that primarily focuses on Christian and health-oriented programming...
service) or by transmissions on public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
(common for local congregations) or leased access
Leased access
Leased access is airtime that the Federal Communications Commission mandates must be provided by cable operators for use by independent cable programmers and producers who are not owned by the operators...
channels. Sunday mornings often see religious broadcasts on regular commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting
Commercial broadcasting is the broadcasting of television programs and radio programming by privately owned corporate media, as opposed to state sponsorship...
and BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
outlets.
Religious broadcasters in the U.S. include:
- BYU TelevisionBYU Television__NOEDITSECTION__Brigham Young University Television is a cable/satellite television channel operated by Brigham Young University...
- Calvary Chapel
- Christian Broadcasting NetworkChristian Broadcasting NetworkThe Christian Broadcasting Network, or CBN, is a fundamentalist Christian television broadcasting network in the United States. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.-Background:...
(CBN) - Christian Television NetworkChristian Television NetworkChristian Television Network is a non-profit broadcast television network of small owned-and-operated stations that broadcasts religious programming. It is based in Largo, Florida , and the flagship station is WCLF channel 22, which signed on the air in the Tampa Bay Florida region in 1979...
(CTN) - Daystar Television NetworkDaystar Television NetworkThe Daystar Television Network is an American evangelical Christian television religious broadcasting network headquartered near Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Bedford, Texas...
(Daystar) - Eternal Word Television NetworkEternal Word Television NetworkThe Eternal Word Television Network is an American cable television network which presents Catholic-themed programming. It was founded in 1980 by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA...
(EWTN) - Familyland Television NetworkFamilyland Television NetworkFamilyland Television Network is a Catholic-oriented religious channel, owned by the Apostolate for Family Consecration in Bloomingdale, Ohio....
- GOD TVGOD TVGOD TV is an international Christian television broadcaster that transmits the GOD Channel from Jerusalem.The network’s Free-to-air signal is carried via multiple satellites 24-hours-a-day providing programming at no charge to viewers. This ranges from Bible teaching to motivational seminars,...
- God's Learning ChannelGod's Learning ChannelGod's Learning Channel is a Judeo-Christian television network which is based in the Southwestern United States. Based on the Messianic Judaism movement, it describes itself as "teaching the Torah and the true roots of Christianity", and its programming features a mixture of Christian and Jewish...
(GLC) - Golden Eagle BroadcastingGolden Eagle BroadcastingGolden Eagle Broadcasting is a small digital satellite television network based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, which airs primarily Christian and family oriented programming. The signal is broadcast over-the-air in Northeastern Oklahoma via KGEB TV-53. The network is owned and operated by Oral Roberts...
- Islamic Broadcasting Network
- Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association (LeSea Broadcasting)
- Living Faith Television (LFTv)
- Loma Linda Broadcasting Network (LLBN)
- New York Jewish Radio WMDI-LP - 107.9 FM Lakewood, NJ
- Salem CommunicationsSalem CommunicationsSalem Communications is a U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher specializing in evangelical Christian and conservative political talk radio. It owns 99 commercial radio stations, 65 of which are in the top 25 markets. Salem is the fifth largest U.S....
(SC) - Sky AngelSky AngelSky Angel U.S. LLC. describes itself as a "Christian-owned and operated multi-channel television service specializing in Christian and family-friendly TV and radio programming." It is one of the first niche-oriented television providers in the United States....
- Three Angels Broadcasting Network3ABNThree Angels Broadcasting Network, or 3ABN for short, is a nonprofit, 24-hour television and radio network that primarily focuses on Christian and health-oriented programming...
(3ABN) - The Hope ChannelThe Hope ChannelHope Channel is an international Seventh-day Adventist TV network and the flagship station of the Adventist Television Network . Hope Channel features programming produced by Adventist churches, colleges, hospitals and institutions, covering religious, health, educational and family life topics...
- The Inspiration Network (INSP)
- The Old PathThe Old PathThe Old Path is a religious online & cable channel owned by Progressive Broadcasting Corporation for the Philippines'-based Members Church of God International.-Background:...
(TOP) - The Worship NetworkThe Worship NetworkThe Worship Network, or Worship, is a broadcast television service that provides alternative Christian worship-themed programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week...
- Trinity Broadcasting NetworkTrinity Broadcasting NetworkThe Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
(TBN)
United States
Christian broadcasters (but not other religions) in the U.S. are organized through the National Religious BroadcastersNational Religious Broadcasters
National Religious Broadcasters is an American organization that represents Christian religious broadcasters on American television and radio, including several high-profile televangelists and Christian radio show hosts. It claims a membership of more than 1700 organizations...
(NRB) organization.
United Kingdom
The UK equivalent of the NRB is the Christian Broadcasting Council, but affiliation is much less common. Additionally in the UK is the Church and Media Network, formed in 2009 as a successor to the Churches' Media Council, which states that it seeks to be a bridge between the media and the Christian community.Funding
Financially, US channels tend to fare a lot better than UK based ones. The American concept of asking viewers to donate money to a channel to keep it going on air is considered more culturally acceptable than in the UK; as a result more money is raised this way. There used to be no advertising revenue model – the traditional method of running commercial TV in the UK – that worked for religious TV channels. The UK government's Broadcasting Act 1990Broadcasting Act 1990
The Broadcasting Act 1990 is a law of the British parliament, often regarded by both its supporters and its critics as a quintessential example of Thatcherism. The aim of the Act was to reform the entire structure of British broadcasting; British television, in particular, had earlier been...
allowed ownership of broadcasting licences by religious organisations and their officers and those who controlled them in some circumstances; this had previously not been allowed.
Religious channels aimed at a UK audience could get around this previous restriction by basing themselves offshore, often in a European country that permits asking viewers for money on air. Stations may appear to be based in the UK, but actually broadcast from another country. However Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
since lifted the restriction, and channels with UK licences can now ask for funds on air.
The other primary method for raising funds to run religious channels is to sell airtime. Traveling preachers and large churches and ministries often set up a TV department filming what they do; they then buy slots on TV channels to show their programmes. Often the same programme from an organization is shown on several channels at different times as they buy slots. The vast majority of organizations which do this are US-based. In the UK this tends to make Christian TV channels appear to be US-based, as most material originates there. Some UK TV channels have invested in making programmes to complement the sold air time slots – most notably GOD TV and Revelation TV.